ABSTRACT

The basic hydrogeological conditions of karst areas of North and South China are discussed Two major river development schemes and their potential hydrogeologicsl and environmental impacts are considered: the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge (Wanjiazhai Water Project) of Yellow River in North China, and the Three Gorges Project of Yangtze River in South China. The water development constructions may have major hydrogeological within the geoecological environmental impacts. The detrimental factors include: karst leakage, earthquake, reservoir margin stability failure, dezertization and pollution etc. The benefits are electrical power generation, flood control and irrigation.